Christian
Churches of God
No. 86z
Summary:
Faith and Works
(Edition 2.0 19950701-20000327)
This paper shows the
relationship between Faith and Works. It shows the requirement to repent from
dead works. The demonstration of faith is seen to be held, by the apostles, to
be from works.
Christian
Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright © 1995, 2000 Wade Cox)
(Summary ed. Wade Cox)
This paper may be freely copied and distributed provided it
is copied in total with no alterations or deletions. The publisher’s name and
address and the copyright notice must be included. No charge may be levied on recipients of
distributed copies. Brief quotations may
be embodied in critical articles and reviews without breaching copyright.
This paper is available from the World Wide Web page:
http://www.logon.org and http://www.ccg.org
Summary: Faith and Works
It is a
fundamental truth that the just will live by faith (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Heb.
10:38). A lot of people today make the mistake of thinking that faith takes the
place of keeping God’s law. Christ himself stated that the law was made up of
parts and the important matters are justice, mercy and faith. He
said these things must be done, without neglecting the others (Mat. 23:23).
Faith is a pillar of
the law, not a replacement. Indeed, without faith the law can’t be kept in a
hostile environment. The Passover was kept by Moses through faith, not as a
precursor to faith. So faith preceded the law and is part of the law (Heb.
11:28).
So-called modern
Christians believe they will be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. But this is
only partially true. A Christian must repent from dead works. There are actions
and thinking patterns by which we are disqualified from eternal life (Heb.
6:1-12). We must be obedient to the laws of God, by which we become perfect
(Jas. 2:22; Jn. 6:28-29; Heb. 11:1-39).
Faith is
the essential element by which we obey God within His law. The faithful of the
past still haven’t received God’s promise of eternal life, which is stored up
for them. Faith alone isn’t an assurance of salvation. Faith is coupled to the
law for the wellbeing of the individual as an indispensable element in healing
(Jas. 5:15).
Faith helps us to love
our neighbour as ourselves. We are not to show respect of persons or
partiality, which is sin. God is not a respecter of persons (2Sam. 14:14; Acts
10:34; Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:1-26). Faith has always been accompanied by works.
Abraham was justified
by works (Rom. 4:2). Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:21-26). The
commandments to love God are kept by faith and through works, i.e. keeping the
seventh day Sabbath holy. The commandments to love our neighbour are
demonstrated by works and not by faith alone.
The key
to the kingdom of God is obedience through faith in Jesus Christ. The least of
the commandments are not to be broken (Mat. 5:19; 19:16-22). If we say we love
God and do nothing, then we aren’t keeping the faith and will not inherit the
kingdom of God. Words without action are meaningless (Eph. 6:1-20).
Faith is one of the
parts of the armour of God.
The Bible, especially
the Old Testament Scriptures, is the word of God, which is the main weapon, the
sword of the spirit, against the adversary. Satan, the deceiver, seeks to
subvert the people of God with false teaching that eliminates the laws of God
and replaces them with the commandments of men (Mat. 15:9; Mk. 7:7).
To know God is to keep
God’s law (1Jn. 2:3). If anyone says it isn’t essential to keep God’s law they
are liars and the truth is not in them (1Jn. 2:4). Do not be deceived by false
teachers who preach the doctrines of demons. There is no light in them! (Isa.
8:20).